Family of 5 - do we NEED 2 showers?

We definitely need two loos. We currently have one upstairs bathroom with a decent enough shower. We're in the process of getting Builders to put in a downstairs loo and shower room but tbh I think I would prefer to have it as a downstairs loo with space for the washer and dryer. It's an existing room (old pantry) so there's only room for a 760 x 800 shower. There is not enough room for loo, shower and appliances. Washer and dryer are currently in the utility which is an old scullery that we intend to convert into a 'garden room' (it's at the very back of the house beyond the kitchen) and it would be much more convenient to have the washer dryer in the pantry/intended downstairs loo as it's more central in the house and I am using them several times a day. If we get them out of the old scullery it will make redesigning that easier as we won't have to fit them in.

Kids are currently small but my feeling is compared to the number of occasions two people will want to shower at the same time (and we need to check pressure will be good enough to handle that) is miniscule compared to the number of times we're doing laundry. DH primarily wants the downstairs shower so he can shower around 10pm twice a week after training without waking the kids but tbh using the upstairs bathroom doesn't wake them anyway.

So I'm wondering if there's anything I'm missing before I try to persuade him to use the intended shower space for appliances. As long as there's a decent sink, loo, mirror and shaving point etc in there, is a second shower REALLY worth it?

I suppose it depends on how you live - I personally would never use a downstairs shower as I'd hate traipsing through the house to get dressed, and wouldn't expect kids would use it either. We're a family of 5, recently had an ensuite put in so have 2 showers. Had it for about a year and can count on 1 hand the times we've had 2 showers working at once. H and i tend to use the bath at night, v quick shower possibly in a morning, kids shower when they get in from sport or after school so not massive pressure in a morning.

On the other hand, a garden room would add more to the house than an odd utility, so I'd put the appliances in there instead of a shower!

I'm wondering if we're more like you, namechanged. DH tends to shower at the gym or in the evening, me in the mornings, DCs currently in the evening. But when they are teens they will probably want to shower before school ... I'm coming from the background that we didn't even have a shower growing up so as a teen I had a v shallow bath in the morning to wash. DH grew up in a family of 5 with one bathroom - come to think of it that's probably why he showers in the evening!

I have one DS who is 12. We have one bathroom with shower and a large cloakroom with toilet/washbasin. We are looking at jigging it around to fit a shower in. Honestly, I can't imagine sharing a bathroom with 3 teens . Don't forget at some point there will be sleepovers etc. I have two stepdaughters in their 20's, when they stay over with their partners it is a nightmare.

We are a family of 5, currently with one upstairs bathroom. We are also about to install a downstairs loo and have decided to put a shower in there, which will mean putting appliances in the kitchen. Ours are still small and have a bath but teenagers can spend hours in the bathroom and think about when they have friends over.

We occasionally have both showers running (3 teen girls me and DH) however I am the only morning shower person. Can you have a separate shower and loo upstairs as that would make the biggest difference.

You mentioned the box room could be a shower room/En-suite, but would devalue the house. Are you planning on moving in the next 10 years? If not you can always convert it when your ready to move.

The shower downstairs can easily be used to hose down muddy children/teens/pets after muddy walks/sports etc. Without litttle jimmy leaving muddy footprints everywhere. Could you have a narrow shower and get the dryer and washing machine along side? I.e stacked on top of each one other? If it’s a ‘spare’ shower it doesn’t need to be huge.

You said you like the idea of a garden room, you can still having laundry equipment in a garden room without it being odd.

I would go for 2 showers, imagine if all 5 of you are going for a meal after school/work and everyone wants a shower before, same goes when the kids are older and want showers before school/college.

Not only do I agree with the consensus re teens and morning queue for shower, I also have a combined downstairs cloak room and utility and I HATE it with a passion. The Americans apparently think we're grubby for traditionally having washing machines in kitchens. The juxtaposition of loo and laundry is far worse and I can't use the utility room the way I'd like to.